STEPHEN Walsh returns from a three-match ban to be available for the visit of Drogheda United to Eamonn Deacy Park this Friday (7.45pm), and given United’s toothlessness up front, it will be interesting to see if the city native goes straight back into the side.

It would be wrong to place the burden for goals on the shoulders of Walsh, but given United’s lack of attacking options, especially an old-school targetman, he could very well return to the starting XI on Friday night.

Defeat to Shels was disappointing on Monday night, even more so when you consider the fact that United dominated the game, but the bad news didn’t end with the result, as an injury update after the game from United manager, John Caulfield, further added to the sense of deflation.

“He got a knock against Sligo in the pre-season game a week before the start of the season, their centre back landed on his ankle, it has taken the swelling nearly two and a half weeks to go down. Hopefully he will be back in training shortly, but no, he’s not running yet,” was the injury update on Wassim Aouachria, who has yet to appear this season.

United had tried to sign another striker before the transfer window closed, but problems surrounding a work permit ended those plans, leaving the burden for goals on Walsh, Aouachria, and Tom Costello, who got 24 minutes against St Pats, injury-time against Dundalk, was an unused sub against Waterford, and got just four minutes against Shels.

The Tribesmen have made a decent fist of life back in the top-flight, and sit fourth in the table with six points from four games, and displays which suggest that they have immediately found their feet in the Premier Division.

Pictured: Galway United’s Stephen Walsh who couild return to the team for Friday night’s home Premier Division clash with Drogheda United after serving a three-match ban.